National Leaders Remember Sen. Coverdell

A T L A N T A, July 23 -- Political leaders from around the nation andGeorgia packed a church Saturday to say goodbye to Paul Coverdell,the second-term senator who died of a brain hemorrhage.

Some fought to choke back tears, including Gov. Roy Barnes, whohad difficulty saying “Goodbye, old friend.”

Coverdell, 61, who died Tuesday, was remembered as a gentle manand as a politician who preferred to work behind the scenes ratherthan hog the spotlight.

Political Mourners

In addition to Georgia’s congressional delegation, mourners fromWashington included dozens of Coverdell’s Senate and Housecolleagues, including Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Sen. Ted Kennedyof Massachusetts and Sen. Fred Dalton Thompson of Tennessee.

The White House was represented by Defense Secretary WilliamCohen.

Republican presidential hopeful George W. Bush had no role inthe service at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, but he satwith Coverdell’s widow, Nancy.

One of several eulogies read at the service was written byBush’s father, former President George Bush, who said Coverdell“told us that quiet is good, caring about the other guy matters.”

Barnes said Coverdell became his mentor when he was firstelected to the state Senate even though they were of differentparties. Barnes is a Democrat and Coverdell was a Republican.

Despite their political differences, they became close friendsand at one point counseled each other on their political plans,Barnes said.

“Oh, how we need more of him,” Barnes said. “It wouldtake away some of the acrimony.”

Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas drew chuckles and smiles with hisremembrance of Coverdell.

‘Lion Heart’

“We won’t soon forget that squeaky voice, that disheveled hair,those flailing arms,” Gramm said. At the same time, he said,Coverdell’s friends and admirers also would remember his “lionheart, iron will and loving ways.”